Call-ups Spell Depletion for Pearson

Leicester manager Nigel Pearson will face having to take a depleted squad to Peterborough next weekend in their key promotion clash at London Road.

International call-ups for Andy King (Wales U-21’s), Tom Cleverley (England U-20’s) and an expected call-up for left back Joe Mattock (England U-21’s) means the Foxes will have to delve deep into their squad to gather a team together to compete with the Posh.

Rules state that clubs must have three players involved in international matches to postpone Football League fixtures. However, loan players do not count, which rules out Cleverley (on loan from Manchester United).

Leicester will also be without Steve Howard for the clash, after receiving his tenth booking of the season at Millwall last week, and thus faces a two match suspension which will involve the Peterborough match.

Posh manager Darren Ferguson may also face international worries with a possible call-up for Joe Lewis to the England Under-21’s. If this be the case, Ferguson’s only other option in goal is the unproven James McKeown. Centre back Craig Morgan has been called upon by Wales, but after being injured since January 31st and scoring a comical own goal at the Walkers Stadium earlier in the season, his absence shouldn’t be felt too badly by Peterborough.

So with four players out of action for Leicester, Pearson may choose to call upon the services of Chris Powell, Bruno Berner, Max Gradel and Barry Hayles to fill the voids left by his international (and suspended) stars.